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LOCAL Thursday 23 March 2017

Sweden and Aruba Together Showing Invincible Strength as

a Relay Team in the 32nd Aruba International Half Marathon

pression. Her personal and that you can make
trainer at that time came the impossible possible. She
up with the idea of creat- is an inspirational speaker
ing a purpose for Shah- who encourages people
rzad, something she could to realize what they have
work towards. That is how and how you can make
in October 2014, Shahrzad the most of it! Her goal is to
decided to participate in motivate as many people
a triathlon competition – at as possible to realize their
that time without knowing true potential and follow
how to swim, ride a bike, their dreams!
or run. Eleven months later, Albertino ‘Betto’ Maduro
she crossed the finish line in was born in Aruba on Au-
the Vattenfall World Triath- gust 31, 1960. He was al-
lon Stockholm after having ways a very active person.
swum 1500 meters, biked Betto was involved in a car
40 km, and run 10 km. She accident when he was 30
was the first female double years old. He had lost his
amputee to accomplish an eyesight on one eye. While
Olympic-distance triathlon. he was adjusting to the life
Shahrzad is competing in with just one eye this other
the Paralympics category eye also got damaged
ORANJESTAD - On March PT2. After months of prepa- and the life changing was
26, 2017 International com- ration Shahrzad success- one that involved not only
petitors will participate in fully competed in the first Betto but also his wife Jo-
Aruba’s longest road race ever Paralympic Triathlon, vita Maduro and the 3 sons
covering the length of the reaching 7th place! and 1 daughter. Betto had
island from San Nicolas to Nowadays, alongside her still that drive to be ac-
Oranjestad. training, Shahrzad gives tive and to continue run
This year the relay has lectures to healthcare insti- and ride a bike. He slowly
a special team a team tutions, companies, sports started back and his fam-
formed by unity of Swed- organizations and schools ily was his guide during this
ish and Aruban Paralympic with the main message that journey.
athletes. all of us have superpowers Continued on Page 16
Shahrzad Kiavash (33) is an
Iranian born, Swedish citi-
zen and Albertino “Betto” Shahrzad Kiavash (33) is an
Maduro is born in Aruba, Iranian born, Swedish lady.
Dutch Citizen. She holds a civil engineer-
This team will be reinforced ing degree from KTH Royal
with Paula Boyer from Swe- Institute of Technology in
den. Stockholm. She was living
IBiSA is proud of the par- an ordinary life as a 28-
ticipation from around the year old, working in market-
world such as Chile, Para- ing when suddenly she was
guay, USA, Colombia, and hit by a very uncommon
France in the individual and fatal blood-poisoning:
category. In the Corpo- Meningococcal septicae-
rate and Student Relay mia. The doctors estimated
there are about 30 com- her chances to survive ob
pany teams and 10 school 5-10%. After many days
teams participating. in the hospital, Shahrzad
The two Paralympic ath- miraculously survived, but
letes each with their own both of her lower legs had
story, reason and dedica- to be amputated.
tion to be active in sport. A Following an extended
little bit about the two: period of rehabilitation,
Shahrzad fell into a de-